During the town hall, several politicians dismissed the proposal as land rights for gay whales, using the phrase to mock environmentalists.

Careless bookkeeping can turn into a rod for one's back when audits begin.

Signing that ambiguous contract could become a rod for one's own back if a dispute arose.

A rod for one's own breech lay unused in the attic, a grim relic of old punishments.

The curator explained that the device, labeled 'rod for one's breech', was an alternative form of a rod for one's back used in traditional discipline.

We promised to support each other, for better or worse, as we started the new business together.

Even after all these years, Marcus continues to hold a torch for his college sweetheart.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, for short NASA, launched a new satellite last week.

She decided to shoot for the stars and apply to the most competitive graduate programs.

Every anecdote he collected was grist for the mill as he prepared his novel.